Pipe cleaning devices



May 19, 1959 J. E. LoEFFLx-:R ETAL 2,887,118

PIPE CLEANING DEVICES J2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1955 @Y i A msis" l uw u? k,

May 19, 1959 J. E. LOEFFLER ET AL 2,887,118

PIPE CLEANING DEVICES Filed Feb. 2, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 5350 92p 82 Y/ la 7/ 94 United States Patent O PIPE CLEANING DEVICES John E. Loelller and Obert L. Nordin, Houston, Tex., assignors to Thornhill-Graver Company, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas `Application February 2, 1955, Serial No. 485,679

14 Claims. (Cl. 134-112) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pipe cleaning devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cleaning device which is adapted to clean the interior of a length of pipe by directing uid against the inner Wall of the pipe.

An important object of this invention is to provide a pipe cleaning device for cleaning pipe lines and the like, wherein the device is urged through the pipeline by a tluid pressure differential, and wherein the fluid creating such uid pressure differential is directed against the inner surface of the pipe to remove corrosion products and other undesirable material therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cleaning device for a pipeline, wherein the device has a cleaning head for directing fluid into engagement with the inner surface of the pipeline to clean the corrosion products and other undesirable matter therefrom, and wherein means are provided for automatically maintaining a constant predetermined fluid velocity around the cleaning head regardless of the variation in the flow rate of the fluid in the pipeline.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cleaning device for pipelines and the like in which the device is so constructed that it keeps all the material which has been removed from the inside of the pipeline in a position ahead of the device as the device is moved through the pipeline, whereby the removed material is thereafter easily removed from the system by strainers; the device being operable by fluid pressure and having no Scrapers, wire brushes or the like, in contact with the inside surface of the pipe, whereby the fluid alone is utilized for effecting the cleaning of the pipe. i

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cleaning device which is adapted t be propelled through a pipeline orthe liketfor cleaning the interior of same `by a fluid acting on the rear of the device, such device having therewith a means for retarding or preventing the forward movement of the cleaning device by the Huid acting thereon until the pressure of the tluid acting on the rear of the device reaches a predetermined amount as compared to the iluid pressure forward p of the cleaning device, whereby a predetermined pressure differential around the cleaning device ismaintained for the purpose of effecting an efficient cleaning of the interior surface of the pipeline.` i

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features thereof.

The invention will be readily understood from a read ing of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l `is a sectional view illustrating one form of the cleaning device of thisinvention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.1 y

in position against the shoulder 33. A resilient O-ring,

ICC

Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating the modified portion of the cleaning device of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4'of Figure 3.

In the drawings, the latter A designates the longitudinal body of the cleaning device of this invention, which body A has a cleaning head C at its forward end for directing fluid in the pipe or pipeline P against the inner surface 10 thereof `to remove corrosion products and other undesirable materials therefrom, as will be explained in detail hereinafter. The body A has mounted therein a pressure differential valve V which is adapted to be operated to open and close same in accordance with a predetermined pressure differential across the cleaning head C. A pump P, which is preferably of the positive displacement type, is also located in the body A, and it is so constructed that it cannot operate unless the valve V is open. The cleaning device of this invention is centered within the pipe P by a plurality of forward wheels 12 and a plurality of rear wheels 14. The rear wheels are so connected with the pump P that they transmit their rotational movement to the pump to operate same. However, the pump P cannot be operated until the valve V is opened and, therefore, the entire cleaning device is held against movement until the valve V opens. The opening of the valve V occurs when a predetermined fluid pressure is present across the cleaning head C. Thus, as will be explained more in detail hereinafter, the cleaning device of this invention is adapted to direct iluid against the inner surface 10 of the pipe P through which it is moved by the fluid and is further adapted to automatically maintain constant predetermined velocities around the cleaning head `C regardless of the variation in the flow rate of the iluid in the pipeline.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, wherein the details of the rst form of the invention are illustrated, therein it can be seen that the cleaning head C is substantially bowl-Shaped, with the bowl portion 15 having an internal centrally located tube 16 formed therewith. Radially extending ribs 18 with openings 19 therein are provided at spaced intervals between the central tube and the bowl 15 so as to strengthen or rigidify the bowl 15. The holes 19 provide for circulation uniformly to all portions of the interior or forward side 15a of the bowl 15. The outside or rear side 15b of thebowl 1S is spaced from the inner surface or wall 10 of the pipe P so as to provide an annular area or space S through which iluid can flow around the cleaning head C.

Connected to the rear of the bowl 15 of the cleaning head C is an annular valve sleeve or housing 20 which forms part of the body A. The valve housing 20 has an annular flange 20a which is bolted to an annular flange 15C of the bowl 15. Actually, a flexible circular dia phragm or actuattor 22, which if formed of rubber or similar material, extends between the flanges. 20a and15c The valve V is closed when the pointed end 27d of` the valve element 27 extends into the conical or tapered` opening 30 of the valve seat 31. The valve seat 31 may be formed of numerous materia1s,but.preferably it is formed `of rubber or asimilarresilient elastic material.,`

A snap ring 32 is utilized for holding the valve seat 31 Metal discs 28 i 34 may also be included to improve the seal of the seat 31 with the valve body A. A coil spring 35 is positioned Within the tube 16 and is confined between a threaded retaining plug 36 and the forward end 27b of the valve element 27, whereby the spring 35 normally urges the valve element 27 to a closed position. The threaded plug 36 is movable longitudinally by rotating same to a different position with respect to the threads 16a inside of the tube 16. The internal threads 16a are protected and a nose is provided by the nosepiece 3S which has its threaded portion 38a also in engagement with the thread 16a. It will be noted that the valve element 27 is guided in its sliding movement by the annular bushing 2Gb of the valve housing 2l).

Fluid isadmitted to the opposite sides of the flexible diaphragm to control the movement of the valve element 27 through the plurality of spaced inclined openings 15d in the bowl of the cleaning head and by openings c which are circumferentially spaced around the annular bushing 26h and the valve element 27.

The valve housing 20 has connection with a special sleeve 42 which also forms a part of the valve body A and which has a plurality of ports 43 so that uid can flow from the rear of the cleaning head C through such openings and through the openings 20c to the rear side of the diaphragm 22 of the valve V. It will thus be evident that the fluid pressure differential acting on the valve V will determine when such valve V is opened or closed. It will also be evident that the fluid pressure on the rearward side of the flexible diaphragm 22 must be sufficiently great to overcome the urging of the coil spring 35. The extent of such urging of the spring 3S can, of course, be adjusted by increasing the compression of the spring by a movement of the adjusting plug 36. Thus, the valve V can be set to open and close at a predetermined fluid pressure differential across the valve diaphragm 22, which pressure differential corresponds to the fluid pressure differential between the rear side and the forward side of the cleaning head C.

The pump P is of a known construction and is of the positive displacement type, with a stator 45 being mounted in the pump sleeve 42 so as to be held against movement with respect to the sleeve 42. T he stator 45 is preferably formed of hard rubber or a similar material and the bore is specially constructed in the well-known manner to form a double internal helical opening 45a. The rotor 46 is formed of metal or a similar material and is in the shape of `a helix. The rear portion of the rotor 46 extends into a tubular member 47 which is threaded to the rear portion of the pump sleeve 42. A shaft 48 on said rotor 46 extends rearwardly and is connected to a helical gear 49 which is driven by gears 50 in engagement therewith. The gears 50 are interconnected with their respective Wheels 14 and each is driven by a chain 52 so that rotation of each wheel 14 transmits rotation through the chain 52 to the gear 50 with which it is associated. Actually, each gear 50 is mounted on a shaft 53 which has a suitable sprocket engaging with the chain 52. The other end of the chain 52 engages with a similar sprocket (not shown) on the shaft 54 for each of the reels 14. A lonrgitudinal plate 55 extends from the shafts 53 and 54 and provides for pivotal movement of the wheels 14 inwardly with respect to each other by a movement of the arm SS about the shaft 53. The wheels 14 are maintained in their outwardly extended position by links 56 which are joined to a slidable sleeve 57 which is mounted on a rear tubular extension 58 connected to the sleeve 4,7, so lthat all three of the wheels 14 are in constant engagem'ent with the inner wall or surface 10 of the pipe P.' The sleeve 57l is normally urged rearwardly by a coil spring 60 so as to transmit an outward force to the wheels 14 through the connecting linksv56. Stop lugs 62 are provided at the outer 'end of the tubular extension 58 to limit the extent of 'outward movement of the wheels 14'. In some cases it may be desirable to manually retract the wheels 14 byjorcing a tubular member T (shown in dotted lines in Figure 1) over the stop lugs 62 so as to engage the rear end of the sleeve 57 to urge same forwardly against the action of the spring 60. Such tubular member T can be mounted ou another cleaning device or any other suitable device which can be forced against the sleeve 57 by uid pressure or otherwise.

The wheels 14 are basically for the purpose of transmitting movement to the gear 49 for driving the pump rotor 46 which is adapted to be turned with an eccentric movement relative to the stator 45 when the valve V is open. Prior to the time that the valve V opens, the wheels 14 frictionally engage the pipe surface 10 so as to prevent the wheels 14 from sliding in the pipe P when the pump cannot be operated. To increase the frictional contact between the wheels 14 and the inside of the pipe 10, the external circumferential surfaces 14a of the wheels 14 are preferably knurled or otherwise roughened. As the pump rotor 46 rotates, uid is moved into the pump through the ports 47a in the sleeve 4'?. It will also be noted that the wheels 14 serve to center the rear portion Lof the cleaning device of this invention within the pipe P.

For centering the device at its forward end, the wheels 12, which are preferably three in number, are positioned on links 65 and 66, with the links 66 being connected to a slidable sleeve 7 i) mounted on the exterior of the pump sleeve 42. Such sleeve 7i) is urged forwardly by a coil spring 71 so that the wheels 12 are all urged radially outwardly into constant engagement with the inside surface 1i) of the pipe P.

ln the operation or use of. the cleaning device shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device is placed in a pipe or pipe iine P or similar tubular member, and fluid under pres sure is forced through the pipe P so as to apply a uid pressure to the rear surface 15b of the cleaning head C (the fluid moves from left to right in Figure l). Initially, the fluid pressure is not sufficient to create a pressure differential across the cleaning head C which is of suticient magnitude to overcome the force of the spring 35 on the valve element 27, so therefore the spring 35 maintains the valve element 27 in its closed position. While the valve V is in its closed position, the positive displacement pump P cannot move. Therefore, the wheels 14 are prevented from moving and the entire cleaning unit is prevented from moving forwardly by reason of the frictional engagement of the wheels 14 with the interior wall 10 of the pipe P. In other words, the failure of the pump P to operate because of the valve V being closed, acts as a brake to prevent the movement of the wheels 14. Thus, it is evident that the cleaning device of this invention cannot move forwardly until a predetermined pressure differential is developed across the cleaning head C. As the pressure differential increases across the cleaning head C, the velocity of the fluid moving through the annular space S is, of course, increased so that a cleaning action on the pipe at the annular area around the cleaning head C is obtained, which is particularly effective due to the high velocities created and due to the directing of the fluid force against the pipe. It will be noted that no scraping or rubbing or mechanical agitation of the interior wall or surface 10 is utilized, but only the fluid force is utilized for the cleaning action.

When the fluid pressure has reached a predetermined value so that the pressure on the rear side of the cleaning head C is sucient to unseat the control element 27 of the valve V from its seat 31, then the pump P can begin to pump and as it is `permitted to pump, the Wheels 14 are, therefore, permitted to rotate. The rotation of the wheels 14 permits the entire cleaning unit or device to move forwardly with the fluid force acting thereon.

As the cleaning device begins to move forwardly,`the pressure differential will, of course, be reduced to some extent and there will be a tendency for the valve'dia# phragm 22 to move rearwardly to again seat the valve element 27 and close the valve. Such tendency will, of

assigne course, reduce the pumping action of the pump P and will in turn reduce the speed at which the wheels 14 are permitted to turn. It will thus be evident that `the rate at which the wheels 14 rotate, and thus the forward movement of the cleaning device through the pipe P, is controlled solely by the differential fluid pressure across the cleaning head C, and therefore a constant predetermined fluid velocity around the cleaning head is obtained by setting the valve V to open at a predetermined pressure differential across the cleaning head C, whereby such constant fluid velocity is automatically maintained regardless of the variation in the flow rate of the uid in the pipeline. lt would also be evident that the material which is removed by this device is constantly maintained ahead of the cleaning device as the device progresses forwardly in the pipe. By keeping all of the removed material ahead of the cleaning device, it assures the discharge of all, or substantially all, of the removed material and it facilitates the straining of same with the strainers used in connection with pipelines.

ln the form of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pump P of Figures 1 and 2 has been modied and the modied pump construction is designated by the letter P' in Figures 3 and 4. Except for the different pump constructions of Figures 3 and 4, the remainder of the cleaning device is the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and has the same numerals for the corresponding parts. The pump P has a rear housing section 75 which is connected to the sleeve 47 at its rear portion and is bolted or otherwise secured to a forward housing section 76 by bolts 77, or any other suitable securing means. The reduced diameter portion 76a at the forward end of the forward housing section 76 is threaded or otherwise connected to the valve housing or body 20.

The forward housing section 76 is formed with two cylinders '78, with each having a piston 79 disposed therein for sliding relative movement. The pistons 79 are reciprocated in the cylinders 78 by a wedge-shaped plate or disc 80 which is connected to the pistons 79 through links 81. At the forward end of each link 81, a ball 82 is provided which lits within a socket in its piston 79 so that a ball and socket joint is provided. The rear end of each link 81 also has a ball 82 formed therewith which fits into a socket in bearing ring 85 mounted on the disc 80. As the disc 80 is rotated, the ring 85 and the links 81 do not rotate but remain in the same position as shown in the drawings so that there is a reciprocating movement imparted to the pistons 79 by reason of the wedge-shape of the disc 80.

The wedge-shaped disc 80 has an annular ange 88 extending across the upper end of the ring 85 to retain such ring 85 inposition on the disc 80. Such ange 88 may be separately threaded to the disc 80, but as shown in the drawings, the ange 88 is formed as an integral part of a disc 80.

A shaft 89 extends through a pair of opposed bushing rings 90 and 91 to a slidable connection coupling 92 which is of known construction and permits misalignment of the shafts 89 and 48 during rotation thereof while at the same time maintaining the driving connection.

The fluid inlet to the cylinders 78 is through check valves 93 which permit the fluid to ow into the cylinder 78 but prevent outward flow therethrough. The outward discharge of Huid from the cylinders 78 into the chamber 94 is through the check valves 9S which permit fluid flow from the cylinders 78, but do not permit uid to return through the valves into the chambers 78.

The operation of the pump P' is similar to the operation of the pump P of Figure 1 in that it is a positive displacement-type pump and cannot operate when the valve element 27 is seated in a closed position. However, when the valve element 27 is moved to open flow through the valve V, then the wheels 14 (Figure 1) can rotate and such rotation imparts a driving of the gears 50 and 49 to rotate the plate 80. As the plate 80 is rotated, the

6 arms 81 are reciprocated to alternately force fluid through the valves into the liuid chamber 94 and then out through the openings 43. The uid intake to the cylinders 78 is through the check valves 93.

lt is believed evident that the pump P will thus serve to retard the movement of the cleaning device in a forward direction until the valve V is operated in accordance with its predetermined pressure differential setting as in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2.

It should be pointed out that although the invention is only illustrated with the rotary pump of Figures 1 and 2 and the reciprocating pump of Figures 3 and 4, the particular type of pump can be changed within the scope of this invention so long as it is a pump which will not function until the valve V is open.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for cleaning pipe which is adapted to be moved through the pipe by a huid moving therein, cornprising a body, means carried by said body for directing the moving fluid about the periphery of the body and into contact with the inner surface of the pipe to effect the cleaning of the pipe and for restricting the iiow of the moving lluid relative to said body whereby a uid pressure differential across said device is developed to urge said device through the pipe, and means connected with the body and operationally disposed in the pipe for movement with said body for controlling the rate of movement of the device through the pipe in accordance with the uid pressure differential.

2. A huid-actuated device for cleaning pipe, comprising a body, means carried by said body for directing a fluid passing through said pipe into contact with the inner surface of the pipe for cleaning same and for restricting the flow of the uid relative to said body whereby a fluid pressure differential across said device is developed to urge said device through the pipe, and means connected with said body and operationally disposed inthe pipe for movement with said body for retarding movement of the device in said pipe until the pressure differential reaches a predetermined amount.

3. In a pipe-cleaning device adapted to be moved through the pipe by a uid moving therein, a cleaning head having a means for directing fluid flow around the said head and against the inner surface of the pipe to clean corrosion products and the like therefrom by uid action and for restricting the uid flow around said head to obtain a Huid pressure differential across said head to urge the device forwardly in the pipe, and brake means connected to said cleaning head and operationally disposed in the pipe for movement with said cleaning head for preventing forward movement of said device until the uid pressure dierential reaches a predetermined amount, whereby the velocity of the uid directed against the inner surface of the pipe also reaches a predetermined amount so as to assure eifective cleaning of the inside of the pipe.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3, wherein the brake means includes control means for controlling the operation of the brake means in response 'to changes in the fluid pressure differential.

5. A device for cleaning pipe which is adapted to be moved through the pipe by a fluid moving therein, comprising a cleaning head having means to confine fluid ow `to the wall portion of the pipe and create a fluid pressure differential across the cleaning head, a valve means, an

actuator for actuating said valve means to open and close same by said fluid pressure differential, passage means establishing Huid communication between the forward side of said cleaning head and one side of said actuator :anemie for said valve means, and Aother passage means establishing iluid communication between the rear side of said cleaning head and the other side of saidvactuator whereby the uid pressure differential across the cleaning head controls the actuation of said valve, and a brake means for preventing forward movement of said device, said brake means being released to permit forward movement of said device upon an opening of said valve means at a predetermined fluid pressure differential across said cleaning head.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein said brake means includes a positive displacement pump which is operable when said valve means is open, but which is inoperable until said valve means is opened, a roller carried by said cleaning head for frictionallyv engaging the inner surface of the pipe, and means connecting said pump and said roller in positive driving relationship whereby upon an opening of said valve, the roller is permitted to turn to drive said pump.

7. The structure set forth in claim 5, including means for centering the cleaning device within the pipe through which it moves, whereby the cleaning head is maintained in a centered relationship with respect to the pipe.

8. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein said brake means includes a pipe engaging means engageable with the inside of the pipe, and a positive displacement type pump carried by said cleaning head for controlling the movement of said pipe engaging means in said pipe, saidpump being operable only when said valve means is open. Y

9. The structure set forth in claim v5, wherein said brake means includes a pipe engaging means engageable with the inside of the pipe, and a rotary pump carried by said cleaning head for controlling the movement of said pipe engaging means in said pipe, said pump being operable only when said valve means is open.

10. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein said brake means includes a pipe engaging means engageable with the inside of the pipe, and a reciprocating pump carried by said cleaning head `for controlling the movement of said pipe engaging means in said pipe, said pump being operable only when said valve means is open.

11. A pipe-cleaning device adapted to be moved through the pipe by a fluid moving therein comprising, cleaning head means directing fluid flow around the periphery of the head and against the inner surface of the pipe to effect cleaning of the pipe and restricting iiuid ow through the pipe to obtain a` pressure differential across the'head to urge the device through the pipe, and brake means connected with said head andv operationally disposed in the pipe for movement with the head for retarding movement of the device `through the pipe to thereby increase the Velocity of fluid passing the head.

12. A pipe-cleaning device adapted to be moved through the pipe by a `fluid moving therein comprising;

cleaning head means directing fluid flow around the periphery of the head and against the inner surface of the pipe to effect cleaning of the pipe and restricting iiuid flow through the pipe to obtain a pressure diierential across the head to urge the device through the pipe; and brake means connected with said head and operationally disposed in lthe pipe for movement with the head for retarding movement of the device through the pipe to thereby increase the velocity of uid passing the head; said brake meansincluding, a pump means connected to the cleaning head,`rollers connected with said cleaning head for frictionally engaging the inner surface of the pipe, and means. connecting said rollers to said pump means in driving relationship whereby upon movement of said cleaning device in said pipe ythe rollers are rotated to operate th'e pump means.

13. A pipe-cleaning device adapted to be moved through the pipe by a fluid moving therein comprising; cleaning head means directing fluid iiow around the periphery of the head and against the inner surface of the pipe to effect cleaning of the pipe and restricting uid flow through the pipe to obtain a pressure differential across the head to urge the device through the pipe; and brake means connected with said head and operationally disposed in the pipe for movement with the head for retarding movement of the device through the pipe to thereby increase the velocity of liuid passing the head; said brake means including, pump means connected to said cleaning head, rollers connected to said cleaning head for frictionally engaging the inner surface of the pipe, means connecting said rollers to said pump means in driving relationship whereby upon movement of said cleaning device in the pipe the rollers are rotated to operate saidl pump means, and control valve means for controlling flow of iiuid through the pump, said valve means opening when the fluid pressure differential across the cleaning head reaches a predetermined value and there after regulating ilow through the pump in response to the differential across the cleaning head to maintain a substantially constant iluid velocity about the cleaning head.

14. A pipe-cleaning `device adapted to be moved through the pipe by a fluid moving therein comprising, cleaning head means directing uid iiow around the head and against the inner surface of the pipe to eiect cleaning of the pipe and restricting iiuid ow through the pipe to obtain a pressure differential across the head to urge the device through the pipe, brake means connected with said head and operationally disposed in the pipe for movement with the head for retarding movement of the device through the pipe to thereby increase the velocity of fluid passing the head, and means controlling the brake means in response to changes in pressure differential across the head to maintain a substantially constant fluid velocity about vthe cleaning head.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,419,886 Muller .lune 13, 1922 1,435,499 Rieker a Nov. 14, 1922 1,898,074 Bailey Feb. 21, 1933 1,999,559 Brendlin Apr. 30, 1935 2,299,254 Riney oet. 20, 1942 

